Siemens Deepens Presence In Ghana’s Energy Sector

Global technology powerhouse Siemens has announced a significant investment in Ghana’s gas and steam energy generation projects over the next three to five years.

Siemens will roll out a series of projects, including new gas and steam turbines, contributing 150 megawatts to the national power grid in Ghana, Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa CEO, said at a VIP event on Wednesday in Accra.

“We have identified Ghana as one of our key countries and our further investment is aimed at helping the country reach its economic goals and secure it as a serious contender on the African continent,” Dall’Omo said.

She added that the company was still considering the best financial structure by which to carry out the projects.

The event was attended by Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

With a current power generation capacity of 2,936 MW, Ghana requires significant further energy investment. Hydropower is by far the largest contributor to the country’s energy supply at 1580 MW, and the government aims to increase overall capacity to 5,000 MW through harnessing renewable energy projects in the future.

Local partnerships

One such project is for ENI in Sanzule where Siemens has been contracted to deliver two gas compression packages for its onshore receiving facility.

In this instance, Siemens has entered into a joint venture with local company Draper Oil and Gas Limited to form Siemens Oil and Gas.

Other projects in Ghana

Siemens is also currently rolling out a steam turbine project with Group 5 in Kpone, the largest steam plant in Ghana, contributing about 350 megawatt to the national grid. Another project under way is the Tema Thermal Power Plant.

The Tema Plant is being rolled out in two phases and includes the installation of eight gas turbines overall.

It has the advantage of flexibility in times of unsecure gas supply, and will ultimately add 82 MW to the national grid.

“Siemens will in future be working with stakeholders to look into opportunities to harness wind energy to meet Ghana’s energy needs,” Mr Dall’Omo said.

Edmund Acheampong, a Ghanaian employee with Siemens in the United States, has been appointed as the Ghana country manager.

His team will be responsible for business development, sales and project execution.

Acheampong said at the event that Siemens is currently active in more than 200 countries, and has a 165-year track record in engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability.